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Cindy Moore
Picc line RN for 108 bed hospital.

I am the only Picc line RN for a 108 bed hospital.  How many Picc line placements a year would be considered a full time position for one 40 hour/week picc line nurse?

Thanks,

Cindy Moore

Jeff Hanks
Cindy, I was in a similar

Cindy,

I was in a similar position 2 years ago in a hospital of about the same size.  I wrote a proposal that was accepted and I currently occupy the position that created.  I was one of two RN's placing lines from the O.R. but we just got too busy to place lines, do our regular jobs and have any sort of follow up or education to the nursing staff. Did not approach it from a numbers perspective.  I (with the help of a PICC consultant)combined PICC service, PI, difficult IV's, policy writing, etc...in order to improve qaulity of care to the patients and quality of service to the referring sources.  It has been well received.  If you are interested I can share more with you if you call me at work.  269-789-8136 

Jeff Hanks, CRNI-Vascular Access Nurse, Oaklawn Hospital.  Clinical Consultant, Boston Sceintific.

Jeff Hanks, CRNI-Vascular Access Clinical Specialist, Arrow International

DonnaS
Jeff, I am in a similar

Jeff,

I am in a similar situation as Cindy as there is just me.  Initially, what services hours did you provide and how did you address placement of lines or IV access for that matter during your off shift time? 

kokotis
Kathy Kokotis Bard Access

Kathy Kokotis

Bard Access Systems

800 year

kathy 

 

 

Kathy Kokotis

Bard Access Systems

Karen Day
Karen Day's picture
Kathy, would you mind

Kathy,

would you mind giving us the formula you used to create this.

I thought that a standard was 5 piccs per bed annually, apparently I am way off or 4 picc lines in an 8 hour shift, and I would be off in that calculation as well. 

Thanks.

 

Gina Ward
Gina Ward R.N., C.P.A.N  We

Gina Ward R.N., C.P.A.N

 We started our picc line program at our 101 bed hospital about 3 years ago.  Started out 2 R.N.s who worked full time in other areas ( 1 PACU other OP) and we did PICCS in  our "down time" .  What a disaster, very stressful.  3 years later  I do the piccs full time; but in by down time I help out in the OR.  Much better that way.  Not only did myself and the other picc line nurse complain about the original arrangement but our colleagues did too.  they felt like we were  not availalbe to help in our original jobs and when we would think we would "quick go and do a picc" it took forever and then they had to whine to get help.  So......this helped encourage getting that squared away. 

  We do about 30-40 piccs per month Monday through Friday 8 am till 4;30 pm.  We are not available after hours or weekends or holidays.  When people grumble; we ask them to do do the same process they had in the past before we started doing these PICC lines.  I definetly do stay later than 4;30 many days to get the job done.  I have come in on a weekend on a rare ocassion when Dr couldnt even get a subclavian line.  When I stay late I also run into trouble with who is going to read the cxr to confirm the tip location. Our Radiologist leaves at 4;30 p.m, then we have to get the ER doc to read and they dont like that.

I also do all the picc line dressing changes, cap changes and  any education needed for Doctors and staff.  It works really well this way.  We thought about having the floor staff be responsible for dressing etc... that didnt work well.  We would go by to periodically check and half the dressing would be off with the picc line hanging out  and no one was concerned.  I found everywhere that dedicated staff members to do the line care and maintence are much better for infection and all outcomes.  

P.S.  Administration didnt like making a full time person into this picc line program.  Most of our piccs are inpatients and the reimbursement is not good since most of our patients are Medicare and this is just part of the DRG.    My director just juggled the staffing in our area, not adding or deleting staff just relocating.  Works great!!

Gina Ward R.N., C.P.A.N.

Gina Ward R.N., VA-BC

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